The Count Of

The Count of Monte-Cristo

The Black Count

WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR BIOGRAPHY • ONE OF ESQUIRE’S BEST BIOGRAPHIES OF ALL TIME General Alex Dumas is a man almost unknown today, yet his story is strikingly familiar—because his son, the novelist Alexandre Dumas, used his larger-than-life feats as inspiration for such classics as The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers. But, hidden behind General Dumas's swashbuckling adventures was an even more incredible secret: he was the son of a black slave—who rose higher in the white world than any man of his race would before our own time. Born in Saint-Domingue (now Haiti), Alex Dumas made his way to Paris, where he rose to command armies at the height of the Revolution—until he met an implacable enemy he could not defeat. The Black Count is simultaneously a riveting adventure story, a lushly textured evocation of 18th-century France, and a window into the modern world’s first multi-racial society. TIME magazine called The Black Count "one of those quintessentially human stories of strength and courage that sheds light on the historical moment that made it possible." But it is also a heartbreaking story of the enduring bonds of love between a father and son.

The Count of Monte Cristo (complete and unabridged edition)

"The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas is a captivating adventure novel that tells the story of Edmond Dantès, a young Marseille sailor unjustly imprisoned. Victim of a plot orchestrated by jealous rivals, Dantès is accused of treason and locked up in the sinister fortress of Château d'If. During his long incarceration, Dantès meets Abbé Faria, an erudite prisoner who becomes his mentor. Faria reveals to him the existence of a treasure hidden on the island of Monte Cristo. After Faria's death, Dantès escapes spectacularly and discovers the fabulous treasure, which gives him immeasurable wealth. Transformed by the ordeal and fortune, Dantès reappears in Parisian high society under the mysterious identity of the Count of Monte Cristo. He then implements a meticulous plan of revenge against those who betrayed him: Fernand Mondego, Baron Danglars, Gérard de Villefort, and Caderousse. Each act of retaliation is cleverly orchestrated, revealing the secrets and crimes of his enemies. Throughout his quest, Monte Cristo is confronted with the unforeseen consequences of his actions, particularly on innocents. The novel thus explores themes of justice, redemption, and the limits of vengeance. The transformation of Dantès, from a naive young man to a relentless avenger, then to a being capable of compassion, constitutes the emotional heart of the work. Dumas weaves a complex plot, populated with memorable characters and striking twists. "The Count of Monte Cristo" remains a timeless classic, combining adventure, romance, and moral reflection in a captivating narrative.